What are the New York Rangers going to do at the NHL Trade Deadline?

Dark horse candidates

The Rangers have several candidates that could be moved before the trade deadline, but are either wouldn’t warrant much of a return, or would be difficult to convince a team to even take. Players Marc Staal and Brendan Smith are going nowhere with the contracts that they’re on, but there are some that can be moved in order to make way for more youth and still get some draft assets in return.

Kevin Shattenkirk

Two years ago, the St. Louis Blues traded Kevin Shattenkirk to the Washington Capitals for a haul that included a first round pick and some decent prospects. That following off-season, Shattenkirk signed a four year contract worth $6,650,000 a season with his hometown Rangers, a move that was meant to push the Rangers over the top. However, Shattenkirk’s tenure with the Rangers after a year and a half could not have started worse.

Shattenkirk has not lived up to expectations so far in New York, dealing with injuries most of last  season and just flat out under performing so far this season. Shattenkirk has even been healthy scratch at some points during the season for a lack of effort. His 14 points in 40 games has him on pace for a career low, as well as not very efficient in the defensive end. Shattenkirk still has plenty of time to turn it around, but if the Rangers want to move him, it’s not gonna be for much with that price tag attached to his contract.

Vladislav Namestnikov

Vlad Namestnikov was an acquisition from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Ryan McDonagh trade from last years trade deadline, and things have not quite worked out in New York for the 26 year old. While Namestnikov was part of one of the best lines in hockey on the Lightning, totaling 44 points in 62 games before being traded, he hasn’t been able find close to that groove in New York with 20 points in 63 games since being traded. He’s not a bust per say, but the Rangers would likely be better off to move on.

Namestnikov’s contract isn’t quite easy to move either at $4M for the next two seasons. His drop off in production will likely scare some teams off from making this move now, unless the Rangers are willing to retain salary. At $2M a year, I’d imagine that would get some teams interested.

Ryan Strome

Ryan Strome was acquired by the Rangers back in November from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Ryan Spooner, and so far it seems he’s done as well as can be expected. The Rangers are a far better fit for Strome than the Oilers, and so far has 11 points in 29 games comparred to the mere two he had in Edmonton in 18 games. However, it’s doubtful that the Rangers see Strome as a part of the long term future, so if the right deal presents itself there won’t be much hesitation to pull the trigger.

Strome’s contract is a little expensive at $3,100,000 for the next two seasons for a fringe third liner, but at a retained salary he could be a nice addition to a much larger package at the deadline if the opportunity presents itself. If the Rangers were to move Strome by himself, that would likely be a move made over the summer rather than the deadline.